Price Range:

Competitors:

Powertrains:

Fuel Economy (city/hwy):

V6 17–18/29; V8 16/24–25

What's New:

Just one short model year after the relaunch of the iconic Chevrolet Camaro coupe, there's a droptop version arriving in time for spring. And that's good for Chevy, considering the Camaro has now overtaken the Mustang in sales for the first time since 1985. Aside from their roofs, Coupes and Convertibles have nearly everything in common, from the powerful Corvette-derived V8 and thrifty V6 to the lusty concept-car bodywork. But no matter which model of Camaro droptop you choose, the canvas roofs are power-operated and will raise or lower in less than 20 seconds. To make room for the top, cargo capacity in the trunk has been reduced from 11.3 cubic feet to 7.9 with the top down.

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Tech Tidbit:

Nothing especially groundbreaking here, just a Camaro with a power-folding top.

Driving Character:

We slid behind the wheel of a Camaro SS Convertible and pointed its nose toward the best roads we could find in the mountainous wilds near San Diego. The big V8 is really docile and quiet until you boot the throttle and the motor exhales its true muscle-car vibes. On those pock-free, sinewy stretches of pavement that wind high up into the hills, the car cornered flat and the structure felt quiver-free. The handling differences between a Coupe and the 267-pound-heavier Convertible Camaro are hard to discern, probably because the convertible uses the same suspension calibration. Best of all, with that top down, the Camaro's usual dark-cavern interior is flooded with warm sunlight. Back on the mean streets of downtown San Diego, we aimed for the worst potholes and most busted-up pavement we could find. The Camaro's structure remained tight, but we detected a nearly constant vibration in the steering column—an annoying trait that a Mustang GT convertible, which Chevy reps brought for comparison, didn't have. The rear seats of the Camaro Convertible are slightly narrower than the Coupe, so they are not the best thrones for large people on long trips. Roof raised and flat-footed on the freeway, the Camaro's interior din is on par with the Mustang, but it's certainly rowdier than the Coupe.

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Favorite Detail:

Up or down, the Camaro's top is striking in a contrasting color and makes the whole car appear more expensive than the Coupe. Camaro convertibles look so good with the top up, you might keep it that way most of the time. Black and tan would be our pick.

Driver's Grievance:

Weight is the enemy; the ragtop Camaro has far too much—nearly two tons' worth—and that mass is a hindrance on tight roads.

Bottom Line:

The Camaro Convertible retains the performance of the now-class-leading Camaro coupe. Its moves are nearly as crisp through canyon roads, too. And starting around $30,000, it's not a bad deal. We hear the ultimate performance Camaro—the Z28 Coupe—is on the way later this year, with the very same 556-hp supercharged V8 as the Cadillac CTS-V. We'd like to hear every one of those horses with the top down too.